For this year’s Halloween roster of haunting songs, Local Spins turned to Tip Top Deluxe co-owner — and vintage horror devotee — Ted Smith to create a scary-soundtrack for the creepy holiday. Ogle the vidoes, listen to the playlist on Spotify.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week leading up to Halloween is a scary-good one when it comes to live music, and of course, the holiday gets started early with plenty of ghoulish weekend parties. Scour The Big List and Under-the-Radar Picks, and win VIP tickets to see The Accidentals at their CD-release show at the Frauenthal Center.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The last big festival week of the summer also boasts tour stops by State Champs, San Fermin, P.O.S, Apocalypta, Elliott Brood, Marisela, Ben Sollee, some riveting local shows, the Cottage Bar Chili Cook-Off and the Knickerbocker’s first anniversary. See all the featured live music listings, plus the Under-the-Radar Picks. Plus, see how you can win tickets to see Nick Moss.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The late August round-up of live music features concerts and festivals from Grand Rapids to the lakeshore to Brooklyn — from Emma Loo & Sam’s cutting-edge spectacle at The Pyramid Scheme to Michigan music on the farm. Check out all the images in Local Spins’ week-in-review recap.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The late August edition of Local Spins on WYCE boasted Laine’s in-studio visit and regional music by The Hacky Turtles, Emma Loo, 78 Revolutions Per Minute, Rick Chyme & Nixon, Melophobix and more. Listen to the podcast and watch a video of Laine’s performance.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
National acts as well as local stars packed venues from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo over the past week, captured in vibrant images at Local Spins.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, Andrew McMahon, The Accidentals, Kalamazoo Ribfest, Fat Guy Fest and more also grace this week’s live music picks. And check out the Under-the-Radar Picks, along with this week’s ticket giveaway for a show at 20 Monroe Live.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Blistering rock dominates this weekend’s roundup of images from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, but there was also the fetching indie-folk of Kalamazoo’s Thunderbolt & Lightfoot at an inspiring CD-release show.
Commentary · Festivals · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s Grand Rapids festival will have fewer stages and performances, a revamped layout and plenty of eclectic acts from which to choose. We’ll help on the choosing part: Local Spins once again has asked its writers and some West Michigan musicians to pick “The Best of Fest.”
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Rocking stages from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Howell, bands playing venues large and small over the holiday weekend gave Michigan’s music devotees plenty to celebrate. Check out all of the resplendent images at Local Spins.
Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
The day-long, all-ages show featuring nearly 70 bands will be headlined by Grand Rapids post-hardcore heroes La Dispute. The nationally acclaimed band will give a special performance of its album, “Wildlife,” in its entirety.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
From a showcase of exuberant regional punk music at Tip Top Deluxe to an epic display of legendary punk groups at Founders Brewing, Saturday night in Grand Rapids proved the diverse power of punk. Experience a special evening of rock in these Local Spins videos and photo galleries.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The week got rolling with Blues Traveler in Kalamazoo and just kept rocking, from Shorts Brewing’s 13th anniversary party in Bellaire to The Pyramid Scheme’s two-day sixth anniversary bash. Check out all the images at Local Spins.
Festivals · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a week of familiar bands in new locations, familiar events with new faces, and new events with familiar faces. Check out all the concert images — from Hunter Hayes on Thursday to Flint Eastwood on Sunday night — along with the “Grand Rapids: A Musical Day in the Life” video at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Photos · Videos
No arrests were made, but one Record Store Day celebration was cut off by the authorities in mid-stream. Most of the day across West Michigan, however, shaped up as a vinyl lover’s dream. Check out the video and a Local Spins photo gallery.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The attention-getting rocker raised in Alpena and making waves in Detroit talks with Local Spins about the ’emotional mess’ of songs from her new album and the struggles of touring. She plays The Pyramid Scheme on Saturday. Read about this emerging Michigan artist, listen to her music and watch one of her videos.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weekend got started early with a piano prodigy and continued with soul, rock, pop, folk, blues and a bevy of young, emerging West Michigan acts. Check out the photos and videos at Local Spins, from Chilly, Blues & Brews at The B.O.B. to bluegrass at Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo.
With 32 bands playing two stages over two nights, this weekend’s festival at West Ottawa High School meshes experienced groups with up-and-coming high school acts. See the full schedule at Local Spins, from Lipstick Jodi to Fried Egg Nebula to Midwest Skies.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Check out photo galleries and show recaps from a week of punk, funk, pop and more across West Michigan, from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Browse images of national tour stops plus a Local Showcase and the Winter Beer Festival at Fifth Third Ballpark.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
The 2017 edition of WYCE’s Jammie Awards drew more than 1,500 people to The Intersection in Grand Rapids for dynamic performances by Michigan bands, with plenty of musicians “lovin’ the hell out of each other.” Brows the resplendent photo gallery, watch the video and read the reaction of musicians to the West Michigan music scene’s biggest night of the year.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
A week that saw arrival of a new Grand Rapids venue also boasted tour stops by Tyler Farr and AJJ, a Buddy Holly tribute, the Grand Rapids debut of The Boulevard Billies and Roger Brown Band, and Kalamazoo’s Cooper’s Glen music festival. Check out the week-in-review roundup of West Michigan shows and browse the photo galleries.
Festivals · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The first-ever winter festival takes place Saturday with five bands performing. One of those, punk rock’s I Believe in Julio, was the featured artist during this week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE. Listen to the podcast which features the debut of new songs by Michigan bands and check out the festival schedule.
Concert announcements · Photos · Upcoming shows
The first-ever tented event outside Perrin Brewing’s Comstock Park taproom in late January will serve as a preview to the WYCE Jammie Awards show and raise money for Kids’ Food Basket. Get the details at Local Spins, along with a photo gallery from Mustard Plug’s holiday show this week at The Intersection.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
This Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature and podcast first ran at Local Spins in January. Since then, the band has released another album (which is reviewed here) and will play The Intersection with Mustard Plug on Dec. 29. I Believe in Julio is also the featured band for February in the 2017 Local Spins Calendar.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The tented event outside Perrin’s Comstock Park taproom will serve as a preview to WYCE Jammie Awards show and raise money for Kids’ Food Basket. Read more about this inaugural one-day music festival and get the links to pre-sales.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts
With roots in Michigan’s folk community and Washington D.C.’s punk scene, the Nashville-based duo creates a unique musical buzz. Adrian+Meredith’s tour stops at Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge tonight (Wednesday) and in Kalamazoo Thursday. Check out the podcast and video of their radio appearance for Local Spins Live.
Album reviews · Audio · Local Spins Live · Videos
Rev up December in style — and get a headstart on your Christmas CD shopping — with this Local Spins round-up of local and regional releases, which also spotlights new CDs from Murder Party, Bet on Rats and Cousin Avery, along with audio samples from the bands.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
New Music Wednesday at Local Spins ranged from The JetBeats’ radio appearance for Local Spins Live to release of Rick Chyme & Nixon’s politically charged new track to The Accidentals unfurling a gorgeous and touching Beatles cover (and video) with help from The Decemberists’ Jenny Conlee. Some of it was inspired by reaction to Tuesday’s election, all of it is eclectically impressive … only at Local Spins.
Announcements · Audio · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
After six years and two recordings, Grand Rapids pop-punk band Maybe Next Time plans to take an “indefinite hiatus” as life pulls the group in “different directions.” The band plays its final show Saturday in Holland.
he week and the weekend in music was mostly about Halloween, with bands diving into the macabre madness with vigor. Check out the Local Spins photo galleries of concerts, parties and more.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The Grand Rapids band which unleashes its sophomore album on Sunday at The Pyramid Scheme cranked it up on the radio show, which also debuted new songs by Murder Party, Ars Nova, The Sauce, Cartorson, Trash Hounds, The Boulevard Billies and more. Read the story and listen to the podcast at Local Spins.
There’s no party like a Murder Party Halloween party. And this Grand Rapids rock band’s frontman has come up with a menacingly maniacal Top 10 party soundtrack that even boasts a local flavor.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
This week’s live music hoopla ranged from a tribute to blues icon William Clarke to support the Killer Blues Headstone Project — featuring Nick Moss, Dennis Gruenling and Hank Mowery — to musical magic from AJJ, Brother Adams, Frank Turner and Nashon Holloway. Check out all the images in the Local Spins Weekend Photo Galleries.
Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Saturday’s day-long event at Grand Armory Brewing showcases musical talent, poetry and more. Learn more in the Local Spins on WYCE podcast with Ladyfest performers and the debut of new tracks by regional artists. And check out the full Ladyfest schedule at Local Spins.
The California pop-punk icons’ Van Andel Arena show wasn’t about vocal perfection but about raucously re-living songs that served as anthems for a generation of fans. Read the review and browse the photo gallery from Wednesday’s rousing concert.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This August batch of album reviews covers an eclectic mix of genres, including releases from Jeremy Ensley, Bill Ellingboe, KidsonFire and The Preservers. Check out these new releases by regional artists, with audio samples to boot.
Announcements · Breaking music news
This mid-August music news update takes a gander at Do-It-Together Grand Rapids’ first-ever dodgeball tournament being held on Aug. 28, and the conversion of a restaurant/bar/music venue into a rental space. There will be no more Friday night jazz at The Waldron.
Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
From the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival to the Kalamazoo Ribfest to Ottawa County’s Marnia, summer festival season marched on. But there were fun indoor shows last week, too, from Dave Hardin to Desmond Jones to Delilah DeWylde to Cheap Girls. Check out all the images from the past week in Local Spins’ weekend photo galleries.
Summer Concerts · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Indoors and out, country to rock, the week of live music unfurled from Grand Rapids to Brooklyn to Kalamazoo. Plus check out links to galleries from concerts by The Decemberists, Ben Harper and Old Crow Medicine Show.
The second Local Spins batch of mid-year album reviews also takes a gander at new releases by The Ragbirds, Graffiti, Tiles and Christopher Sloan, with audio samples to boot.
Concert reviews · Summer Concerts · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a hot week in West Michigan, indoors and out. Browse images from some sizzling concerts featuring national and regional acts, from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Holland — and from Summertime Blues to the Grand Rapids Pride Festival — in these weekend photo galleries.
Thousands of West Michigan performers will pack stages in downtown Grand Rapids this weekend. It’s a lot to soak in. So once again, Local Spins asks some well-known musicians and its staff of writers to pick “The Best of Fest.” Check out their diverse selections in this guide to Festival 2016.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Wild, raucous and resplendent all describe West Michigan’s live music assault for the last week of May with national and regional acts firing up stages for big crowds. Check out the Local Spins photo galleries from some of those high-energy shows.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Summer Festivals
The emerging punk act will share stages with some “heavy hitters” on its current tour, with more big festival appearances and a special vinyl release on the docket for 2016. Read the story about this Grand Rapids band and check out its performance schedule.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Florida metalcore/pop-punk band provoked fan fervor the same week that saw lively West Michigan shows by Mustard Plug Hannah Rose Graves, Graffiti, Vetiver, Small Brown Bike and much more. Check out the show recaps and photo galleries.
Breaking music news · Features
Complaints about alcohol use around the Comstock Park venue sparked a review that revealed the skate park doesn’t have a permit for live music. It will be closed at least through summer and owners might seek a new location that allows concerts.
Announcements · Upcoming shows
Every Thursday for 19 weeks, the free one-hour show hosted by Quinn Mathews will spotlight the music scene and preview upcoming area concerts. John Shea, Michigander and Sleep Cheaters play the first event this week in downtown Grand Rapids. Check out the schedule.
Features · Photos · Top 10 Lists · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The Pyramid Scheme stages its fifth anniversary shows this weekend. Read how this mid-sized venue has become ‘a special place’ in Grand Rapids and check out owner Jeff VandenBerg and manager Nicole LaRae’s lists of favorite concerts. Plus ogle a photo gallery of images from the first five years.
Falling on a busy and beautiful Saturday in Grand Rapids, the 12th annual festival at Wealthy Theatre showcased West Michigan bands of every ilk and raised thousands for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. (Review, photo gallery)
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
On Saturday, Vertigo Music, Dodds Record Shop, Corner Record Shop, Green Light Music and more across West Michigan will celebrate their independence like never before. Find out why this is such a big day for music lovers and check out the live music schedules.
